Building Data: Quality

Select the overall quality of the building, which determines the cost level in the report, from the following choices:

.5	Lowest
1	Low
1.5	Fair
2	Average
2.5	Above Average
3	Good
3.5	Very Good
4	Excellent
4.5	High
5	Highest

Segregated Estimator automatically uses this overall quality for all components in building Construction Systems. You can specify an individual quality for any component you enter.

You should examine both materials and workmanship when determining the overall quality. The quality of materials and workmanship of individual building components may vary. However, the overall quality tends to be consistent for the entire building. Furthermore, the quality of materials and workmanship tend to influence each other.

Workmanship is often superficial, allowing you to easily observe its quality. The following are all indicators of better quality workmanship:

Solid and level floor structures
Plumb walls
Smooth finish on concrete and plastered surfaces
Mitered joints in both exterior and interior woodwork
Proper fitting doors and windows

As with workmanship, the quality of materials is usually apparent during the inspection of the building. Grade of wood, floor cover and fixtures (either standard or custom) are primary indications of material quality.

Since quality determines the cost level used in the report, you should exercise extreme care in choosing it. Refer to Sections 11-18 of the Marshall Valuation Service or Commercial Cost Explorer for pictures to aid in the quality selection. Also refer to the help for individual occupancies for a quality selection guide for each construction class available in the occupancy. This guide lists the type of exterior walls, interior finish, mechanicals and heating/cooling typically found for each common quality level for the construction class.

Example: The following is the quality selection guide for a Class A (Fireproof Steel Frame) Office Building:

Quality	Exterior Walls	Interior Finish	Mechanicals	HVAC
Low	Minimum-cost walls and fenestration, little trim	Drywall, acoustic ceilings, asphalt tile, few partitions	Minimum office lighting & plumbing	Warm and cool air (zoned)
Average	Brick, concrete or metal and glass panels, little trim	Average partitions, acoustic tile, vinyl composition, some extras	Average intensity fluorescent lighting, average restrooms	Warm and cool air (zoned)
Good	Good metal and solar glass, face brick, precast concrete panels	Drywall or plaster, some wall cover, acoustic tile, vinyl tile, carpet	Good fluorescent, high intensity lighting, good restrooms	Hot and chilled water (zoned)
Excellent	Best metal or stone, brick or block backup, solar glass	Plaster, best veneers, vinyl wall coverings, vinyl, terrazzo, carpet	Luminous ceilings, many outlets, many private restrooms	Hot and chilled water (zoned)